As the hunt for some of Bendigo’s most environmentally friendly buildings and projects begin one business has offered a peek into what it takes to win a coveted sustainability award.

Last year Stay Social took out a Bendigo Sustainability Award for their 12 room accommodation business in Queen Street.

As nominations open for a new year business owner Chris Corr has urged people to put forward green projects.

“I’d really encourage people to check out the Bendigo Sustainability Group’s website, perhaps nominate a business, a friend or some other organisation doing some great things in their community,” he said.

For Stay Social, last year’s win in the Business (Less Than 10 Employees) category was recognition for a lot of hard work.

The property featured a raft of green measures including solar panels, veggie gardens and high-tech energy saving appliances.

Solar power heated tank water, insulating honeycomb window blinds and led lighting helped lighten both bills and an environmental footprint.

There was even a system that soaks up heat from the roof cavity and pumps it into the 12 guest rooms. The system could be reversed on hot summer nights.

Take a tour of a winning property.

This year nominations were open in four categories: schools, communities, businesses as well as houses and gardens.

The BSG’s Liz Martin said judges would have their eye on a wide range of ideas, not just on the big expensive projects.

“The Awards celebrate sustainable effort. They are not just for those who put in solar operations worth $1 million, though of course those projects are absolutely welcome,” she said.

“You take a veggie garden, the kids take produce out and that filters through to their families when they take them home,” she said.

Ms Martin said the awards were useful for community groups, who leveraged them when applying for grants.

“Also, lots of businesses display the award prominently on their premises. I’m sure customers see that on their walls and appreciate that the businesses they frequent are involved in sustainable practices.”

To nominate for an award visit the BSG website. Nominations close on Monday May 15 at 5pm.